The Ukrainian government ends preparations for the signing of an Association Agreement (AA) and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the European Union.
Massive protests takes place in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev, with thousands of protesters occupying or blockading government buildings and demanding the resignation of President Victor Yanukovych, the Prime Minister, and the Cabinet.
December 16, 2013
Russia announces that it will provide Ukraine with $15 billion in badly-needed loans in an effort to keep its moribund economy afloat, following meetings between top Russia and Ukrainian officials at the Kremlin, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Viktor Yanukovych.
February 18 – 20, 2014
Thousands of protesters clash with police in Kiev in Ukraine’s bloodiest 48 hours since World War II. Some 88 people killed and hundreds more wounded as protesters march on the Ukrainian Parliament, or Rada, and security forces attempt to clear out Independence Square.
Yanukovych and opposition sign settlement agreement to end the crisis. It is mediated by Russia, France, Germany, and Poland, though Russia initially decline sign the document. Accordingly, early presidential elections will take place by the end of the year, a national unity government will be created by early March, and Ukraine will return to its 2004 constitution.
President Viktor Yanukovych flees Kiev, following the signing of a settlement agreement.
February 28, 2014
Several hundred unidentified armed men, confirmed later to be Russian forces, in military uniforms carrying military weapons take control of strategic facilities, the airport in Simferopol and a military airport in Sevastopol.
March 6, 2014
In a quick vote held behind closed doors, the regional Parliament of Crimea votes to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.
March 11, 2014
The Crimean parliament declares Crimea independent from Ukraine. It also affirms that it will ask to join Russia if the population votes in favor of such a move in the upcoming referendum.
March 16, 2014
According to the Crimean Electoral Commission, with over 75 percent of ballots counted this evening, 95.7 percent of voters favors a return to union with Russia. Only 3.2 percent favors a return to autonomous status within Ukraine.
March 18, 2014
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Crimean Prime Minister Sergey Aksyonov, the Head of the Crimean State Council, Vladimir Konstantinov, and Mayor of Sevastopol Alexey Chaly sign a treaty that reunifies Crimea with Russia.
April 7, 2014
Pro-Russian separatists today continue to control governmental buildings in Donetsk and Luhansk. Earlier, pro-Russian activists in Donetsk proclaim region’s independence from Ukraine, and the creation of the “Donetsk People’s Republic.” They also set May 11 as a date for a referendum on that would allow the region to become part of the Russian Federation.
May 11, 2014
The Donetsk and Luhansk “People’s Republics” declare independence after referendums. They are hailed as a victory by pro-Russian secessionists and criticized as farce by their Ukrainian and Western counterparts.
Petro Poroshenko will be the next President of Ukraine, according to early polling results from today’s historic election. Reports of the preliminary exit polling figures show Poroshenko winning approximately 55-57 percent of the vote, well above the absolute majority necessary to avoid a presidential runoff election.
June 27, 2014
President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine signs a landmark trade deal, Association Agreement with the European Union, Viktor Yanukovych’s refusal to sign the deal sparked the original protests in Kiev in late 2013.
July 29, 2014
The EU agrees to enact broad sanctions that will target key sectors of the Russian economy. According to a pair of EU diplomats, the sanctions will include “an arms embargo, a ban on the sale of dual use and sensitive technologies, and a ban on the sale of bonds and equities by state-owned Russian banks in European capital markets.”
September 4, 2014
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko expresses “careful optimism” that a bilateral ceasefire between the Ukrainian military and pro-Russian separatist forces could come as early as tomorrow following talks in Minsk, Belarus. According to Poroshenko, a ceasefire would lay a foundation for a “stage-by-stage peace plan” for Ukraine. Russia, importantly, will not be party to the negotiations, despite President Putin laying out a ceasefire plan just a day ago.
September 5, 2014
Following meetings in Minsk, Belarus, between representatives of the Ukrainian government and the pro-Russian separatist forces, President Petro Poroshenko announced that a ceasefire has been reached in Ukraine.
January 22, 2015
Ukrainian military officials withdraw volunteer elements from the terminal of Donetsk Airport under the combined pressures of shelling by rebels and dense fog.
January 23, 2015
Having reclaimed control over the Donetsk Airport after weeks of intense fighting with Ukrainian forces, leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Zakharchenko declares that his administration would no longer participate in ceasefire talks and affirmed his intention to “push the front right up to the borders of Donetsk region” as part of a revitalized rebel offensive.
January 30, 2015
A round of peace talks scheduled to take place in Minsk today cancelled. According to a statement from rebel leader Denis Pushilin, the talks were cancelled due to the unwillingness of representatives from Keiv to attend. However, Ukrainian representative lays the blame for the cancellation squarely on the rebels, who they said undertook a “cynical terrorist act” intended to disrupt the peace talks.
According to multiple reports, “active and comprehensive discussions” are ongoing within the White House regarding the possibility of lethal US military assistance to Ukraine. Until recently, the Obama administration has balked at the disbursement of lethal aid, focusing instead on a policy centered on increasing economic pressure on Russia through the imposition of sanctions.
February 5, 2015
EU leaders today renew efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine. During surprise visits to Kiev today and to Moscow on Friday French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are expected to present a new peace plan to the Ukrainian and Russian leadership, aiming to establish common ground for the swift resolution of the conflict.
February 12, 2015
After negotiations in Minsk, Belarus, that lasted through the night, the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and France have reached a new ceasefire agreement, potentially ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The agreement, which came after 16 hours of talks, lays out a plan for a total ceasefire in the coming days, as well as a longer term plan that addresses broader political concerns by the end of 2015.
March 2, 2015
The United Nations said that fighting in eastern Ukraine that began almost a year ago has resulted in the death of more than 6,000 people, in what is described as “merciless devastation of civilian lives and infrastructure” and possible crimes against humanity.
Compiled by Sai Wansai from various media sources (2 June 2015)
